Cardinal brands UK aid foreign policy 'anti-Christian'
 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-12738479

I'm scratching my head over this one.

Surely the ethos of Christianity is compassion and turning the other cheek?It's not charity in exchange for better treatment and equal rights.

Have I misunderstood?Is it me? :erm:

Re: Cardinal brands UK aid foreign policy 'anti-Christian'
 

No.

Re: Cardinal brands UK aid foreign policy 'anti-Christian'
 

In which case the Cardinal has clearly misunderstood. Well done Cardinal...

Re: Cardinal brands UK aid foreign policy 'anti-Christian'
 

But any one has the right to point out that the government may be giving aid to a nation hostile to that persons people group, faith, belief system. And isn't it right to expect receiving nations to accept certain conditions?

That said neither should aid be denied until conditions are met, especially if the aid is required immediately.

Re: Cardinal brands UK aid foreign policy 'anti-Christian'
 

A bit.

Pointing out that you feel you're being left out or mistreated is nothing to do with turning the other cheek.

Re: Cardinal brands UK aid foreign policy 'anti-Christian'
 

He is right that the UK should be pressing countries like Pakistan to improve their record on religous freedom, but wrong to link it to spending on aid.

I've shocked myself - I (partly) agree with a Catholic cardinal. What's the catch? ;)

Re: Cardinal brands UK aid foreign policy 'anti-Christian'
 

I don't see what link there is between giving aid to needy people regardless of faith and or they are in the world and religious freedom. I think this is more a case of the headline drawing attention to the real issue taken by the cardinal, which would appear to be that he has a problem with religious persecution of Christians perpetrated by the Pakistani government apparatus and others.

Having said that, how much of that aid given by our government actually sees a hungry mouth is another matter entirely.

Re: Cardinal brands UK aid foreign policy 'anti-Christian'
 

I don't think so Russ.Turning the other cheek is very much to do with accepting one's faith in God despite whatever persecution is done to a group or of individual Christian and withholding charity because you or other Christians are being persecuted is also not acceptable to Christians.Christian charity is giving and loving without any strings attached.

I was a Christian once you know.;)

Re: Cardinal brands UK aid foreign policy 'anti-Christian'
 

I guess it's down to interpretation but everyone I've spoken to about turning the other cheek take is as not stooping to the level of certain others.

There is nothing wrong with speaking out about (perceived) mistreatment and nothing written in scripture against it.

Re: Cardinal brands UK aid foreign policy 'anti-Christian'
 

No there isn't but Jesus certainly wouldn't have failed to succour those that despised and persecuted him.Indeed it was his tale of the Good Samaritan than underlines that fact and I'm surprised that a cardinal would think it appropriate to suggest that withholding aid in such a way was a good Christian idea.

However offering aid and speaking out against a persons/country's behaviour to certain factions/religious groups is quite right and correct..

Re: Cardinal brands UK aid foreign policy 'anti-Christian'
 

Aid should go where it is needed most there shouldn't be any long term deals in place for it it should be given out on a as needed basis and thats the only consideration religion has absolutely nothing to do with it. I think the catholic church has other more pressing issues to deal with before jumping into things neither it or it's cardinals are qualified to question.

Re: Cardinal brands UK aid foreign policy 'anti-Christian'
 

The thing I find scary about all foreign aid is the fact that we give out circa 6.7 Billion per year...

At a time when we're trying to save 6.2 billion a year.

I'd be stopping all aid for a year and seeing what could be done with at money personally.